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Once again car keeps cutting off, AFTER being fixed... ;( - READ ONLY

17 messages,  Last post on Oct 04, 2003 at 5:11 PM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Am, Coupe

Messages Page 2 of 2

#8 of 17 by alcan

Sep 29, 2003 (2:31 am)

GM's fault description is:
Document ID# 288258
1999 Pontiac Grand Am
 
DTC P1404 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Closed Position Performance
 
The linear EGR valve on this engine can be prone to sticking slightly open from carbon buildup on the pintle. Have it removed and checked for the pintle not completely closing. It will create a lean air-fuel mixture that can cause erratic idle or engine stall, and also cause the P0172 code to set as the PCM tries to compensate for the lean mixture by over-fuelling.

#10 of 17 I just... by freaksession

Oct 01, 2003 (3:22 pm)

I just brought it in to Pontiac to let them do the diagnostics so I can see what the warranty and things will cover.
 
I'll report back with what they find.

#11 of 17 by freaksession

Oct 02, 2003 (6:25 pm)

It turned out to be
 
bad vacuum hose
 
bad E.G.R. valve

#12 of 17 by freaksession

Oct 02, 2003 (6:27 pm)

It's a 99' Car and this is the 3rd time I had to fix things already and it hasn't been two months. I am probably going to return it soon and trade for somemthing else, and if that won't work I'll have to bring forth an attorney. The warranty is supposed to cover a lot of stuff they are refusing to cover some people are telling me.
 
I am going to have to stay away from Pontiac, because I keep hearing sooo many horror stories about them, and I put WAYYY too much down to be dealing with this already.

#13 of 17 Well... by burdawg

Oct 03, 2003 (6:52 am)

Welcome to the world of used car ownership! BTW, how many miles?

#14 of 17 true true... by freaksession

Oct 03, 2003 (5:26 pm)

It's currently at 77,950.
 
I purchased it at I believe 76,4??

#15 of 17 there is usually a period of "little crud" that dies on cars by swschrad

Oct 03, 2003 (5:47 pm)

and it generally starts between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. on the cars I've had, there are bunch of niggling little $100-180 issues, and then things levelled off for me until sometime after 100,000.
 
that's really just life with older cars... sometimes the previous owner doing all maintenance exactly when due will postpone it a little, sometimes not.
 
if the history of the car has been basically a surprise every other month from 20 or 30 thousand miles onwards, that's a clear sign it's time to trade it, or win the lottery.
 
your local pontiac dealer may be talked into looking at the recorded service history of the car in the GM computers... but if most of it was done elsewhere, that won't show much. also some companies may delete those things after warranty is way over. he can certainly check the VIN to see if there were any recall jobs done against the car, those have to be saved forever, and is at least one indicator of whether the previous owner(s) ever gave a hoot. unperformed recalls, if any, is a clear indication the previous owner(s) not only didn't give a hoot, but probably neglected the machine completely.
 
I would not expect any, but if you're really looking for some peace of mind at this point, it can't hurt to ask 'em to look the data up.

#16 of 17 thanks on that tip. by freaksession

Oct 03, 2003 (9:13 pm)

Thanks a lot for that feedback. When I went to pickup my car earlier today, the people that ran the test said everything else was fine except for those 2 things. I am wondering if any of that ties into what autozone's codes pulled up.
 
Judging from how I speak of these things and all, I'm guessing you'll can tell I'm pretty young and new to the car thing. Well... I'm in my VERY early 20's and this is my first car (to call mine anyways) so I'm practically new to everything about it. I just learned how to change my oil recently with pops.
 
I have the attitude that a car should be able to just ride... well... forever, but hopefully this is the last problem I have for some time. I guess I just learned a lesson, don't put your heart into it too much (unless it's a racing car you built or something of that nature) and dont get dependant on it TOO MUCH cause when it's down... WHEW!! It's like my whole life just stopped at once the minute I couldn't just hop in my car and drive with no worries. I'm still spoiled though, cause I don't EVER want to stand around waiting on a bus again. Especially depending on it for school... man... when it rains (thunderstorms and such) and/or it's cold, or even both... + limit on days you can be late or miss class = very hard time in my studies indeed.

#17 of 17 cars are real great, except when they suck by swschrad

Oct 04, 2003 (5:11 pm)

it would not be a real bad idea to have one of those dollar ponchos, an umbrella, older and possibly ratty at the edges set of warm outerclothes, gloves and a hat, stuffed under a seat in a bag, or slipped into a corner of the trunk if you get let down by the car someplace.
 
these days of near-universal cellphones, you always have a friend nearby... especially if last year's yellow pages are also stuck in that bag.
 
in 34 years of driving, I have been stuck at the side of the road five times. got myself going twice again, with help of a few friends mysteriously encountered in the depths of South Dakota at 11 PM in a sleetstorm once more, but that's life. one of those times I had to replace a thermostat housing gasket, another an oil filter, and once a flat tire due to wayhacks who let my air out at 20 below. but that's because I carry a few tools and supplies, and it's a lot easier (if more expensive) to call somebody else and ride a warm tow truck. had to do that once for a timing set that wore out.
 
what I'm really saying is keep an eye on the car, especially the fluids, check them regularly... and if your schedule gets blown away once in a rare while, well, screw it. be safe, stay alive, don't have a heart attack over the small stuff... I've already done that for ya

Messages Page 2 of 2

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